Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Albuquerque, NM versus $2,010 in Los Angeles, CA. Overall, Albuquerque, NM is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Los Angeles, CA, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $65,604 in Albuquerque, NM and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA — about 18% higher in Los Angeles, CA. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Los Angeles.
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — ABQ RIDE vs LA Metro (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Albuquerque vs Los Angeles — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Albuquerque or Los Angeles?
- Albuquerque, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below Los Angeles, CA's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Albuquerque than in Los Angeles?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Albuquerque versus $68,000 in Los Angeles.
- Which has lower taxes, Albuquerque or Los Angeles?
- Albuquerque is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Los Angeles under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).